At the start of August, I joined Nick Wight, Indigenous Ministries Australia National Manager, as he took a team up north to visit some of our Indigenous partners. We had the privilege of participating in an On-Country immersion experience in Fingal Head, on Bundjalung Country.
We were warmly welcomed and hosted by the Juraki community, who generously invited us to be guests on their land. The invitation was to come to listen, to learn, and to connect more deeply with their culture, faith, and way of life.
Over several days, we were immersed in the beauty of the landscape. A hidden paradise with a stunning coastline, white sandy beaches, birdsong in the trees, and the breathtaking sight of dolphins and a whale out at sea.
We were always close to the beach and could hear the water in every direction we went. We were given a surf lesson and the chance to experience the ocean in a new way. Guided by the locals, whose lives are directed by the tides.
We walked Country with local guides, learning about bush tucker, significant places, and the pillars of connection that guide their lives. We were also invited into a time of Dadirri, which is a practice of deep listening. It helps us to create space to reflect and attune ourselves to the land, to each other, and to God.
We are deeply grateful to the Juraki mob for their hospitality, their stories, and their willingness to walk with us as we seek to listen, learn, and grow together.
Carly Cassidy
National Church Relationships Manager